Flap 1 & 5 have a placard speed of 250 kts, flap 10 can selected at 210 knots which gives the same speed as flap 5 (in the region of 160-170 kts)
If they could not select flap 15 they must have been at or above 200 kts as that is the placard speed for flap 15.
My opinion is that if there was no fault, and he continued, and therefore put the safety of everyone onboard at risk with the attitude "im leaving anyway" he should be taken to court (as was done in the Hapag-Llyod situation). If he was leaving anyway, what, would they fire him for a G/A, which would have been the correct action? I hope there was something wrong with the A/C, otherwise it is getting serious.
Happy landings
